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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Kenney was shot and killed as he and other officers were attempting to arrest a jail escapee.
The suspect and two other inmates overpowered two corrections officers and escaped from a local jail. The two other inmates were arrested soon thereafter, however, the suspect escaped to his home. Deputy Kenney, and his canine Copper, went to the house to arrest him and was met with gunfire. Both he and Copper were shot and killed.
The suspect was then arrested by other officers and charged with premeditated first-degree murder and with inflicting death on a police dog.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Kenney gave the Clay County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clay Center community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kenney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Clay County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
James is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1999, 1 officer in KS was killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1999, 58 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 133rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1999, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 62. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
James was 62. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 62. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.7% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Department.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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